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Vasectomy: General Information
Vasectomy is one of the safest, simplest and most effective methods of contraception, but because it should also be considered permanent, it is important you are fully informed before deciding to proceed.
In the United Kingdom vasectomy has become a very popular form of contraception and is now relied upon by more than half a million couples.
We rarely have a waiting list of more than a month at our centre. The technique used by our specially trained surgeon can normally be completed in a few minutes. After you have completed this online consultation that has been created by our own very experienced and knowledgeable Surgeon Mr A Ahmed, if all the information needed by you and by us is completed during this process, we can proceed to surgical procedure very quickly. If further information is needed by you or by us, or further clarification is required we will arrange a consultation.
Suitability for Vasectomy
We will consider you for a vasectomy if you have seriously thought about the implications of your decision and you are sure you have had all the children you will ever want. This applies equally whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed, childless or with families, regardless of age. However, if you are in your early twenties or under, we are likely to arrange a further consultation after you have completed this form. This will allow for further consultation and counselling and give you the opportunity to discuss your decision, whilst allowing time for further consideration. In addition, we strongly advise you not to undergo vasectomy if you have any sexual or personal problems, as this is not a good time to make such an irrevocable decision.
The vasectomy procedure must be seen as permanent. If reversal is a concern while you are considering vasectomy, or if you think there is a chance you will change your mind in later life as a result of changed circumstances, we strongly advise you to postpone the decision until you are one hundred per cent sure that you want no more children under any circumstances.
For these reasons if you feel under confident about arranging for the operation using an online consultation process, you are welcome to arrange a consultation with one of our surgeons, when he can discuss these issues with you before booking you for surgery.
The Operation
Sperm makes up approximately five per cent of the fluid ejaculated at orgasm. The procedure of the operation is to stop the sperm being ejaculated by sealing the tubes (vas deferens) which carry the sperm to the fluid. The fluid originates in glands at the base of the penis and the quantity produced is unaffected by the operation.
Please shave the scrotum before you arrive as this is helpful but not essential. The doctor gives you a small injection of local anaesthetic into the skin of the scrotum, the sac holding the testicles, not the testicles themselves. The local anaesthetic used is much the same as used by dentists, therefore the sensation felt is similar, an initial stinging followed by complete numbness of the area. A small incision is made in the scrotum and the tubes are located and fused using cautery (a process which seals both the tubes using heat). No internal or external stitches are used, but a small dressing will be applied to the site of the incision.
This may be the first time you have had an operation. The doctor and nurse present during the operation do not wear masks and will talk to you throughout the procedure, and do their best to help you relax. Remember to wear a pair of supportive underwear on the day to help support the scrotum and dressings. You may want to bring paracetamol with you just in case you are delayed on the way home due to traffic etc and the anaesthetic starts to wear off.
Do not drive for the first 24 hours after vasectomy as there are uncommon case of fainting reported even several hours after surgery.
After the Operation
Please read the full instructions on what to expect and what to do after your vasectomy here. We also go over the main points on the day of surgery. It is important to have understand what you need to do after the operation before you have it so you can plan for your needs in advance.
If you have had any previous testicular surgery, it may be advisable for you to come in for an examination and assessment. Please telephone our office for advice on this or to discuss any other concerns. Complications, although very rare, can occur with surgical procedure, however minor, and if you are worried about anything please feel free to call us or your GP for advice.
Complications to be aware of:
- Blood clot in the scrotum. A little swelling and bruising are usual, if you develop a large painful swelling, please contact Mr Ahmed or you own GP.
- Infection. A little ooze is usual but if after a few days the scrotum is hot, tender or oozing pus, please see your doctor in case an antibiotic is required.
- Painful nodule. This can occur where the tubes are divided, about six weeks after the operation. They usually settle by themselves.
- Testicular pain after the operation, which rarely can persist.
- Operation failure. This is very rare – at a rate of less then 0.4% of operations. You may remain fertile after the operation or the tubes can theoretically join up months or years after the operation.
You can have sex as soon as you feel it will be comfortable; however we advise you to wait a few days.
Because there are still sperm in the vas deferens above the site of the operation it can take quite a number of ejaculations to clear the sperm. It is essential to continue using an alternative method of contraception until you are informed by us that your system is clear of the sperm. We require one sample of your sperm at four months post operatively (after a minimum of 25 ejaculations). However occasionally, several more tests may be required, until the system is completely free of sperm. If this should happen we will advise you, so initially please supply only one sample until you have heard from us. In very rare cases the tubes may not have been sealed completely or the sealed ends of the tubes may grow back together again. Since this usually happens in the first three months, we are able to detect this by testing the semen. Spontaneous rejoining of the tubes can occasionally occur even after tests have proved negative, sometimes years later, but this is extremely rare.
In the very rare case when the sperm does not clear or the tubes rejoin spontaneously, we will arrange a re-operation for you. Although in recent years there have been studies linking vasectomy with testicular and prostate cancer, the evidence is only very marginal as compared with the non-vasectomised population. Vasectomy continues to be a recommended family planning method worldwide.
Many couples find greater sexual freedom once the risk of unwanted pregnancy has been removed. Orgasm and ejaculation are not affected. Sperm continues to be produced by the testicles but its passage to the penis is blocked, so it is re-absorbed by the body, just as the body continually re-absorbs all unused cells.
Vasectomy has absolutely no effect on the production of male hormones; the difference is purely mechanical in that the semen no longer contains sperm.